May 2018 Renewable Green Leaders Issue 013

RENEWABLE GREEN LEADERS

Bio | Geothermal | Hydro | Finance | Green Buildings | Legal | Recycle | Solar | Sustainability | Upcycle | Storage | Tidal | Waste | Wind

Dr. Shawn Xiaohua Qu Chairman and CEO

Canadian Solar From A Vision to Becoming A Global Player in The Solar Industry

The Latest Updates American University of Sharjah’s New Engineering and Science Building Complex to House World-Class Research Facilities and a State-of-the-Art Learning Environment Perovskite is More Efficient Than Silicon in Solar Tech, But One Problem Remains

How Engineers Can Be The Best At What They Do: An Engineer’s Guide to Becoming a Quick Learner How Engineers Can Do More In Less Time

Solar Park Veendam – From Polluted Land to a Sustainable Energy Development

4 Things That Engineering Bosses Want to Tell You But Won’t Say

Apple Is Now Completely Running On Renewable Energy

Why Engineers Should Make a Personal Development Plan

Organic Solar Cells Achieve an Efficiency Rate Never Done by Its Kind Before

Creative Ways Engineers Can Increase How Much They Earn

MAY 2018 ISSUE NO. 013

GINEERSNOW TEAM Ems Bagatsing

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Robert Bagatsing

Editor-In-Chief editor@GineersNow.com

Engr. Alice Hernandez Senior Editor-At-Large

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Charity Bagatsing

Raymond Gerard del Valle

Hina Sapra

Engr. Dion Greg Reyes

Marketing and IT Manager

Senior Editor Asia-Paci!ic Senior Editor South Asia

Therese Matheren Senior Editor North America

Engr. Randy Williams Guest Editor North America

Amanda Pelletier Guest Editor North America

Senior Editor North America Junior Editor

Junior Editor

Goran Ćulibrk

Engr. Cielo Panda

Anthony Lucero

Engr. Aaron Kesel

Engr. Emmanuel Stalling

Junior Editor

Guest Editor North America

Margaret Banford Guest Editor United Kingdom

Afsana Alam

Video Editor Creative & Layout Guest Editor North America

Patricia Eldridge Guest Editor United Kingdom

Guest Editor United Arab Emirates

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When Dr. Qu started Canadian Solar in 2001, he never dreamed of creating a multi-billion dollar company and has kept his humble approach until now. Today, Canadian Solar has operations all over the globe and ships 26 GW of solar modules with an annual turnover of $3.39 billion.

In this exclusive interview with the company’s founder, Dr. Shawn Qu, learn more about how the company started, the challenges it had along the way, its latest technologies and product innovations, and the future plans of Dr. Qu for the company.

We have also included several special features on the magazine such as the following:

EDITOR’S NOTE

• American University of Sharjah’s New Engineering and Science Building Complex to House World-Class Research Facilities and a State-of-the-Art Learning Environment • Perovskite is More Efficient Than Silicon in Solar Tech, But One Problem Remains • Solar Park Veendam – From Polluted Land to a Sustainable Energy Development • Apple Is Now Completely Running On Renewable Energy • Organic Solar Cells Achieve an Efficiency Rate Never Done by Its Kind Before Lastly, we have prepared special articles to help you be the best at what you do. Read our guide on how to become a quick learner.

Find out how you can do more in less time and why engineers should make a personal development plan. Learn what your boss wants to tell you without directly saying it to you and find out which of our suggested creative ways you can apply to earn extra money.

So go ahead, scroll through our pages and read the latest stories that put the spotlight on the renewable industry. It’s that time of the month to sit back and relax. Get your monthly dose of engineering and technology news and stories with GineersNow: Renewable Green Leaders!

Engr. Alice Hernandez Senior Editor-at-Large

LEADING GLOBAL ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT AND INTEGRATED SUPPLIER CHINT is committed to providing the world with safe, reliable and stable electrical equipment and clean energy solutions.

After more than 30 years of growth,CHINT has developed from Asia’s largest LV apparatus supplier to leading global electrical equipment and integrated supplier,with strength transformation,distribution to terminal consumpion.

To date,with the annual sales revenue exceeding more than 6.7 billion euros and over 30,000 employees around the world,CHINT has provided reliable electrical equipment and solutions for more than 130 countries and regions worldwide as an active player of electric power construction in the global market.

ZHEJIANG CHINT ELECTRICS CO.,LTD. ADD: Office NO.LB182406,P.O.Box:263174,Jebel Ali,Dubai,United Arab Emirates TEL: 00971-48848286 FAX: 00971-48848287 E-mail: chintwaa@chint.com Website: www.chint.net

Contents

Strengthening UAE-French Business Ties, SWITCH MADE Expands Operations with Global Hub Office in Dubai

36

12

Apple Is Now Completely Running On Renewable Energy

39

How Engineers Can Do More In Less Time

13

Organic Solar Cells Achieve an Efficiency Rate Never Done by Its Kind Before

40

Solar Park Veendam – From Polluted Land to a Sustainable Energy Development

14

Dubai’s Success Accelerates Global Cleantech Adoption

42

The Success Story of Canadian Solar: From A Vision to Becoming A Global Player in The Solar Industry

16

Spain’s Torresol Energy Celebrates Ten Years of Solar Thermal Power Generation

44

DEWA Signs MoU with Amity University Dubai on Renewable Energy, Smart Grids and Emerging Technologies

30

4 Things That Engineering Bosses Want to Tell You But Won’t Say

46 48

CHINT Cooperates with the Bangladesh Power Commission Supporting the 300MW IPP HFO Power Plant Project

32

Creative Ways Engineers Can Increase How Much They Earn

Shell Oman Opens the First Solar-powered Shell Service Station in the Sultanate

34

American University of Sharjah’s New Engineering and Science Building Complex to House World-Class Research Facilities and a State-of-the-Art Learning Environment

8

Why Engineers Should Make a Personal Development Plan

How Engineers Can Be The Best At What They Do 50 An Engineer’s Guide to Becoming a Quick Learner

52

American University of Sharjah’s New Engineering and Science Building Complex to House World-Class Research Facilities and a State-of-the-Art Learning Environment Faculty and students in the College of Engineering (CEN) at American University of Sharjah (AUS) are set to benefit from a stateof-the-art building currently being constructed on campus, and full renovation of the existing engineering building complex.

The new, two-story Engineering and Science Building will cover close to 30,000 square metres, and contain 25 classrooms and 33 new laboratories, equipped with the most upto-date facilities. The renovated engineering buildings will house a modern project-based learning environment with makerspace and fabrication facilities, along with research laboratories for faculty that will contribute to four new research institutes being established

at AUS: the Biosciences and Bioengineering Research Institute, the Materials Science and Engineering Research Institute, the Gulf Environments Research Institute, and the Smart Cities Research Institute.

The new building will assign a substaintial area as collaborative work space (“makerspace”).

The area will house equipment and supplies where CEN’s engineers-in-training can put their skills together to come up with ideas, and refine and perfect them to design an amazing range of projects. The space will also be used for the design aspect of the college’s Introduction to Engineering course where students are asked to design bridges, catapults, domes, planes, and cars using simple daily-used material.

With the recent launch of CEN’s first PhD program, Dean Dr. Richard Schoephoerster believes the new building will set the standard for engineering studies in the region, at both the undergraduate, and graduate level. He says: “We are witnessing impressive developments in engineering and science here at AUS, in large part thanks to the outstanding resources and facilities made available to faculty and students.

Increasingly, students undertaking a bachelor’s or master’s degree expect that laboratories and other university resources will meet the highest international specifications and afford them the opportunity to participate in research and learning that has a meaningful impact in their field of interest. The new Engineering and Science Building at AUS will exceed these expectations, providing our students and faculty with the same level of resources that can be found in the world’s very best engineering schools. As we launch our new PhD in Engineering – Engineering Systems Management, our doctoral students will also benefit from the world-class facilities housed by the new building.”

The construction is setting new standards for environmental sustainability, with a comprehensive waste and recycling management plan underpinning the new build. The building’s design has been awarded a “2 Pearl” rating

by Estidama, the Abu Dhabi Urban Planning Council’s sustainable development initiative.

The Pearl Rating System, or PRS, functions as a way of assessing the sustainability of a building, rating a building on a scale of one to five against four criteria; environmental, economic, social and cultural. The Engineering and Science Building is the first to achieve a “2 Pearl” rating outside of Abu Dhabi.

Dean Schoephoerster says of the building’s environmental achievements; “From the very earliest design phase of the new building, we wanted to ensure that we were setting an example for sustainable construction.

Engineers are at the forefront of developing solutions that will overcome challenges associated with global warming, renewable energy and waste management. We, therefore,

needed to be confident that this new building utilizes the latest technology in energy and water use, and that it sets the benchmark for other new buildings, not just at the university, but throughout the UAE, and even further afield.”

As one of the largest engineering schools in the region, the College of Engineering at AUS currently has 2,438 students enrolled at the undergraduate level, and 254 students enrolled at the master’s level. With demand for places at the college high, the new building will be able to accommodate a growing number of engineering students at the university without compromising the quality of education for which AUS is well known. The new facility will also allow AUS to expand the number of programs it offers through the College of Engineering, with plans to expand the number of graduate programs, and enhance the university’s research impact.

Dr. Schoephoerster says: “We are currently developing a Strategic Plan for the College of Engineering, with one of the main objectives of this plan to expand the scope of programs we offer, particularly at a master’s and doctoral level. With seven bachelor’s programs and eight master’s programs currently available (and the first PhD program offered this coming Fall), we have one of the Middle East’s most

extensive engineering offerings. However, with a growing youth population in the Middle East, and more and more school students seeking a university place, demand continues to grow.

We, therefore, need to be taking action that will address this need and provide those students with the capability to undertake an engineering degree, the opportunity to do so “It is also of importance to us that we make a real contribution to research outcomes in the engineering and science fields. Part of our mission is to deliver research results that promote the UAE’ s aims of becoming an advanced, knowledge-based economy. This new Engineering and Science Building Complex will, therefore, help us deliver upon two of our key goals: opening up more places for talented engineering students, and giving these students and our faculty the sort of facilities that will allow for impressive research outcomes to be realized.”

With approximately 20 percent of the building now finished, the expected completion date for the new building is June 2019.

To find out more about the College of Engineering at American University of Sharjah, please visit: www.aus.edu/CEN.

Why Engineers Should Make a Personal Development Plan This tool can have a great impact in your career.

More often than not, the career plans of engineers are only made inside their minds. They are almost never written or stated explicitly, which lacks the opportunity and convenience in checking if the current status of employment is in line with the career goals.

For engineers to be able to plan effectively for their future, establish a direction for career growth, and take responsibility for their career paths, they need to have a Personal Development Plan or PDP.

What is this exactly?

A Personal Development Plan is a structured tool in creating an action plan based on an individual’s learning, performance & achievements, to plan for his or her personal, professional and educational development. Its primary purpose is to help employees, like engineers, to reach shortand long-term career goals as well as improve current job performance.

It has be written in print or stored digitally, whichever is convenient. Because the PDP has to be constantly reviewed and updated since it is a lifelong process of guiding the engineers’ career.

There are four critical areas of

importance that can be found in a PDP. Here are those listed below:

What goals are you aiming for?

The most basic aspect of all PDPs is the statement of goals, which is the first step. Without this, it’s fairly difficult to have a strategic plan and make career decisions along the way.

Goal statement requires an honest analysis of oneself. For engineers, this means that they should have a vision of what they want to do in the future, and which goals are considered short, medium, and long term.

Weigh in on your current situation Where are you now as an engineering professional? This question asks engineers to identify their key competencies, skills to develop, and resources available. To be able to establish the current situation helps in strategizing.

A concrete actionable plan This step is where engineers are needed to put into details what needs to be done to achieve career goals. Activities like completing trainings,

choosing employers, looking for other sources of income, and even planning family life, among others, are done in this stage. A concrete action plan should come with a reasonable timescale depending on objectives.

Review your progress After a considerable time, engineers should go back to their PDPs and check whether the goals have been met and action plans have been executed. The PDP has to be reviewed constantly if engineers want a much more secure career in the future.

How Engineers Can Do More In Less Time Get things done in the least amount of time possible

Studies show that most people are unproductive at work. And when you’re an engineer trying to get to the top, that can be a very dangerous trap to fall in. But if there’s just so much to do in so little time, how do you handle it without the burnout?

Well luckily, Science has given us a few ways to help: Some people are more energized in the morning, some in the afternoon, and some at night. Try to find out where you stand in the spectrum.

If you tend to wake up early and do fine with the standard work hour, you’re likely to be a morning person. If you’re tired during the first half and get into full work mode on the second half, you’re an afternoon person. If you’re eternally exhausted throughout the workday but tend to stay up at night, you’re most likely a night owl.

Find out when you’re at your peak and try to adjust your work schedule to it.

Get enough sleep

Research has shown that sleep allows the body to rest and repair itself for the grind the following day. So despite our culture’s tendency to pull allnighters, just sleep in and set that work aside for tomorrow. Your body will thank you for it.

Take a break

Our bodies aren’t exactly designed to keep working and working for 8 hours straight. We get tired for a reason. Remember, Productivity is about excelling at the tasks that generate the highest value, not doing the most number of tasks.

Our body can only focus for 90-120 minutes at a time. To help you through this, you need to take the “basic rest-activity cycle”, where after every 1-2 hours you take a 15-20 minute break throughout the day. It gives you enough time to rest and refocus and still get stuff done.

Get an office plant

Yes, I know, this is a bit odd. But science says it helps. Apparently, houseplants in the office helps workers become 15% more productive. Maybe it’s the fresh air and reconnection to nature where we belong.

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Solar Park Veendam – From Polluted Land to a Sustainable Energy Development Astronergy / Chint Solar officially inaugurates a new 15.5 MW solar park in the municipality of Veendam, Province of Groningen, Netherlands.

Astronergy / Chint Solar officially inaugurates a new 15.5 MW solar park in the municipality of Veendam, Province of Groningen, Netherlands.

The project, which was the largest solar PV project connected in 2017 in the Netherlands, was acquired end of 2016 from a local developer and was brought to a successful completion and connection in December 2017

by Chint. The polluted land that was found unsuitable for agricultural use found in solar a new purpose.

The 15 hectares strip of land located in the heart of the industrial area of Veendam, was vacant for a long time and part of the ground had suffered from contamination during years

of industrial use. Solar presents itself as perfect solution for such cases, where little to no disturbance of the soil is desirable and can convert an otherwise unusable land into an economic and sustainability landmark for the region. The solar park, which will, during its operational lifetime, offset more than 240 kiloton of CO2, will produce enough energy every year to power 5900 homes. “We are proud to have stepped into this project and to have contributed to its full success. It was a team effort which enabled the realization of the project with a strong collaboration and participation from all public stakeholders. We see the Veendam Solar Park as a landmark

and role model that we wish to replicate in the Netherlands in the coming years. Chint is a pioneer in the solar energy sector and is fully committed to contribute to a successful energy transition in the Netherlands and the rest of Europe, away from fossil fuels and into a sustainable and clean energy future.” Dr. Lu, Chuan the CEO of Astronergy/Chint Solar commented.

The project was initially developed by local company Powerfield and acquired by Chint in December 2016. From that point onwards Chint was actively engaged with the Municipality of Veendam, the Province of Groningen and other local entities, private companies and advisors to ensure the project’s development would be carried on fulfilling all of the regulatory and legal requirements. During the first half of 2017 all the open technical and development items were concluded, and the project reached financial closure in the summer time. Construction of the solar park, which was carried out by the specialized firm Golbeck Solar, started on the 4th of September and progressed at an impressive rate to mount all 57.288 solar panels and connect by 29th of December to the Enexis

Veendam substation across the canal from the project location.

“The end phase of the construction was quite challenging as the bad weather and amount of water on the ground threatened to delay the progress and endanger a timely connection.

With the excellent support of the local grid operator Enexis and all involved parties in construction we finally connected the park and achieved first energy export before the last days of 2017.” Dr. Lu, Chuan said What’s next?

Chint intends to remain very active in the Netherlands and is already planning the construction of the next solar park with 15.2 MW in Andijk, Municipality of Medemblik, province of Noord-Holland. The medium term goal is ambitious. The company is working on early stage development of additional 500 MW to be built over the course of the next 2 to 3 years.

This will be achieved in close collaboration with several municipalities, provinces and many other public entities, and in partnering with local private companies in the industry.

The Success Story of Canadian Solar:

From A Vision to Becoming A Global Player in The Solar Industry When Dr. Qu started Canadian Solar in 2001, he never dreamed of creating a multi-billion dollar company and has kept his humble approach until now. Today, Canadian Solar has operations all over the globe and ships 26 GW of solar modules with an annual turnover of $3.39 billion.

In this exclusive interview with the company’s founder, Dr. Shawn Qu, learn more about how the company started, the challenges it had along the way, its latest technologies and product innovations, and the future plans of Dr. Qu for the company.

Š Canadian Solar

Dr. Shawn Xiaohua Qu Chairman and CEO Canadian Solar © Canadian Solar

The Challenges and Success Story of the Company Dr. Shawn Qu founded Canadian Solar in 2001 with little more than a vision and his personal savings.

Just 17 years later the company operates in over 6 continents and achieved an annual turnover of $3.39 billion with over 26 GW of solar modules shipped cumulatively in 2017. An impressive success story is continuously ongoing.

When Dr. Qu started Canadian Solar in 2001, he never dreamed of creating a multi-billion dollar company and has kept his humble approach until now. “Back then, my vision was to create a company working on renewables, which I thought would be good for human beings and would allow me to feed my family.”

© Canadian Solar

Canadian Solar developed from the courage of a visionary, into a global player in the solar industry.

The first step in this success story, however, was a big one: winning one of the most significant projects in Canadian Solar history. Volkswagen Mexico was looking for a solar device to keep parked cars charged overnight. Being there at the right time, Dr. Qu took on the challenge to develop a suitable product, yet with many uncertainties at that time.

“The challenge was that I had to develop a product and purchase an order without my company being fully set-up yet.

Furthermore, financing as well as the built-up of a factory was still unclear. I had to do my budgeting.

Where was the money going to come from, let alone the equipment?” We know the outcome, Dr. Qu made it and developed the perfect solution, built a plant in China, shipped hundreds of thousands of units to Volkswagen and expanded the company steadily ever since.

© Canadian Solar

Over the years, Canadian Solar has seen favorable times in the solar industry, as well as struggles with dropping prices and several political challenges – yet survived them all and came out stronger than before.

Most of all, smart business decisions, e.g. decided to getting into the downstream and became a solar project developer, instead of just being an upstream producer of ingots, wafers, cells and modules, have proven to be the decisive factor in the success story of Canadian Solar and Dr. Qu as its CEO and owner.

Š Canadian Solar

The Latest Technologies and Product Innovations Success hasn’t changed Dr. Qu much, although he says he gets less anxious about the business than he once did, since he has delegated a lot of the day-to-day work to his management team.

Yet, he still gets excited about the present and future, since there is no end to innovations and continuous development of Canadian Solar globally.

For each company, particularly in the everchanging landscape of the solar industry, product innovations are key to continuous success. Dr. Qu, graduating from the University

of Toronto, with MSc in physics; from the University of Mintoba as well as a BSc in applied physics from the Tsinghua University in Beijing, has remained an engineer at heart and has transformed this curiosity into the DNA of his company. With a strong and innovative R&D department, Canadian Solar has transformed the solar industry in many aspects. This can be seen in one of the latest product innovations, which has led to an increase of module efficiency of up to 19.2%, using HDM (high-density module) technology. Another example is our new Ku Modules, offering the highest power wattage among all the poly silicon PV module products, reaching or surpassing the power wattage of mono products.

© Canadian Solar

© Canadian Solar

© Canadian Solar

© Canadian Solar

© Canadian Solar

© Canadian Solar

The Expansion of New Services In addition to the enhancement and new development of products, Canadian Solar is also keen to keep up to date with growth by continuous expansion of its service offerings.

Thus the establishment of a new business unit has come to focus in early 2018. The Company announced at the Solar Asset Management and O&M Conference in San Francisco that it has launched a new worldwide business unit focused on delivering solar Operations and Maintenance Services for utility-scale power plants to third party customers.

“Our O&M business was born out of necessity to operate and maintain our own utility scale solar power plants in Ontario, Canada,” said Dr. Shawn Qu. “Since all the solar plants were our own, we built the O&M team to provide the best quality of service and operations in order to maximize the value of our own solar assets. Now we are making these best practices and processes, fully ingrained in our O&M team’s DNA, available to third-party asset owners.” © Canadian Solar

© Canadian Solar

Successful Listing of the Canadian Solar Infrastructure Fund (CSIF) in 2017 In addition to product innovations and new service offerings, Canadian Solar also has a clear vision on markets and a healthy financial development.

Consequently, with long-term success in Japan, Canadian Solar Infrastructure Fund (CSIF) was successfully listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange (TSE) on October 30, 2017. This significant milestone symbolizes the steady growth and trust in Canadian Solar as a brand as well as trusted financial partner in the solar industry.

The Future Outlook of Canadian Solar Canadian Solar has a continuous outlook on a healthy growth and expansion. Part of this strategy is the steady observation of market conditions and the increase of ingot, wafer, cell and module capacities.

Manufacturing Capacity Roadmap (MW) Ingot Wafer Cell Module

31-Dec-17 1,200 5,000 5,450 8,110

30-Jun-18 1,620 5,000 5,600 8,310

31-Dec-18 2,000 5,000 6,350 9,810

For the full year 2018, the Company expects total module shipments to be in the range of 6.6 GW to 7.1 GW. Total revenue for the full year 2018 is expected to be in the range of $4.4 billion to $4.6 billion. We expect approximately 53% of total revenue for 2018 to come from our Solar Module and Components Business, while the balance will come from our Energy Business. The Energy Business revenue will mainly come from monetization of the Company’s solar power plants in the U.S., Japan, China and the UK. Dr. Shawn Qu, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Canadian Solar commented, “Moving into 2018, we have seen price adjustment throughout the solar value chain. We expect that our technology, new products and the increase in vertical integration along the manufacturing process will help the Company further build upon its leadership position.”

© Canadian Solar

The Company’s Projects Canadian Solar has a solid track record to develop and deliver solar power projects across the globe.

As of February 28, 2018, we pride ourselves in having connected over 3.8 GW of solar projects worldwide, with over 11GW of total project pipeline, including 2 GW of late-stage projects which will be connected to the grid within the next 2 – 4 years.

We are also on track to monetize our solar power assets, for example, we completed the sale of our interests in a total of 309 MWp of solar plants in the U.S. to Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO), South Korea’s largest electric utility in March 2018.

In addition to our strong footprint in developing and delivery of solar power projects, we also do make a difference in the supply of modules to various projects, particularly the EMEA region.

In 2017, we commissioned the opening of the 24

Renewable Green Leaders

May 2018

Robben Island Solar Park, located on the equally named island of Robben Island. This island has such importance to the people of South Africa, Robben Island was a high-security prison where Nelson Mandela was jailed for 18 years. As Canadian Solar we do believe as is our slogan ‘to make a difference’ in the world, bringing clean energy to its people. And since Nelson Mandela and his campaign for social justice have always held a special space in my heart, I was greatly pleased when Canadian Solar was selected to supply the solar modules for the iconic 666.4 kW solar system on Robben Island, near Cape Town in South Africa. It is now designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Yet another project, we are extremely proud of particularly in the Middle East, is the Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park Phase A, DEWA III Solar Park Project. Upon completion, this project will be a major milestone for Canadian Solar as well as fully change the energy landscape of the UAE (United Arab Emirates).

© Canadian Solar

© Canadian Solar

Canadian Solar had been selected as the sole module supplier to provide 268 MW of modules for the first phase of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park in Dubai. The project, totaling 800 MW in size, consists of three phases.

When completed in 2020, the project will be one of the world’s largest single-location solar parks.

The EPC Joint Venture (JV) Consortium consists of Acciona, Gransolar and Ghella.

Canadian Solar’s proven track-record, solid bankability and high-quality standards were key factors in winning the mandate from the EPC JV. As a pioneer in double-glass module manufacturing technology, Canadian Solar has

delivered several GW of double-glass modules worldwide since 2013.

The Methodologies in Creating Innovative Solutions For The Clients Overall, Canadian Solar is multifaceted, which has given us the competitive edge over the years. First and foremost, we have diversified our offering with state-of-the art technology providing best quality, high-efficiency at reasonable costs to our customers. Furthermore, we are not just a module manufacturer, but also a project developer which allows us to be a strong partner to our customers, along the entire value chain.

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Get To Know Dr. Shawn Qu His Personal Background Raised by his parents, both university professors in mathematics, Dr. Shawn Xiaohua Qu, has been raised in China during the cultural revolution of the ‘60s and ‘70s as “materially poor but spiritually rich”. His parents instilled a love of knowledge in him, while circumstance ingrained frugality.

Both attributes have proved fundamental to Canadian Solar’s success, which, while significant, has been far from an overnight affair.

Shawn Qu arrived in Canada in 1987, shortly after the Chinese government first allowed students to leave the country to study abroad. In his mid-20s at the time, he had an undergraduate physics degree from Beijing’s prestigious Tsinghua University and the promise of a scholarship from the University of Manitoba. After completing his master’s degree in physics, Mr. Qu moved to the University of Toronto to do a PhD in materials science. It was here that his interest in solar power first took hold.

After graduation, he took a position at Ontario Hydro (now called Ontario Power Generation) working on a solar power project that was subsequently sold to ATS Automation Tooling Systems in Cambridge, Ont. As luck would have it, ATS had also bought Photowatt, a French solar product manufacturing firm that gave Dr. Qu exposure to yet another culture.

His Education Dr. Qu received a Ph.D. Degree in Material Science from University of Toronto in 1995, a M.Sc. Degree in Physics from University of Manitoba in 1990 and a B.Sc. in Applied Physics from Tsinghua University (Beijing, China) in 1986.

From 1995-1996, Shawn was a Post Doctorate Research Fellow at University of Toronto focusing on semiconductor optical devices.

His Honorary Titles and Recognitions In 2010, Dr. Shawn Qu was selected as one of the first group of 25 people out of the Chinese government’s 1000 overseas talent program and later was awarded the title by the state council as China’s Distinguished Expert for Dr. Qu’s significant contribution in starting and developing the solar industry in China.

From 2011 to 2013, Shawn was an honorary professor at Tsinghua University, the top university in China, for the development of the renewable energy research program.

Shawn has been actively involved in various solar industry associations and holds key positions. Among them are member of Photovoltaic Special Committee of China Renewable Energy Association, Vice Chairman of Chinese Photovoltaic Industry Association, and Executive Vice Chairman of Jiangsu Province Photovoltaic Industry Association.

His Public Speaking Engagements Dr. Shawn Qu is viewed as the global solar industry leader. In the past few years, Dr. Qu has been an invited speaker at the IFC Climate Change Conference, the International Economic Forum Americas, the Wall Street Journal Economics Forum, Bloomberg’s New Energy Finance Forum, International Energy Forum, Solar Power International, TEDx Talks, and many other prestigious forums, special interviews at China’s most viewed TV programs “Dialogue”, “Brainstorming” and “Bosstown”.

Dr. Shawn Xiaohua Qu Chairman and CEO Canadian Solar © Canadian Solar

© Canadian Solar

The Company’s Top Projects

By Market Middle East DEWA III, Phase B, 268 MW, Dubai, Middle East Canadian Solar been selected as the sole module supplier to provide 268 MW of modules for the first phase of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park in Dubai. The project, totaling 800 MW in size, consists of three phases. When completed in 2020, the project will be one of the world’s largest singlelocation solar parks. The EPC Joint Venture (JV) Consortium consists of Acciona, Gransolar and Ghella.

Canadian Solar’s proven track-record, solid bankability and high-quality standards were key factors in winning the mandate from the EPC JV. As a pioneer in double-glass module manufacturing technology, Canadian Solar

has delivered close to 1 GW of double-glass modules worldwide since 2013.

The first shipments of Canadian Solar’s frameless Dymond (CS6X-P-FG) have left the module factory this month and will reach the DEWA III project site in June 2017. The project will use more than 800,000 double-glass modules upon its completion.

The Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park is part of the Dubai Integrated Energy Strategy 2030, which seeks to secure a sustainable supply of energy through diversification in sources. Dubai aims to reduce its reliance on imported natural gas and increase solar energy to 7% of the total by 2010 and 15% by 2030.

Zaatari Refugee Camp, 12.9 MW, Jordan, Middle East 40,000 Canadian Solar Dymod panels are providing green energy for to 80,000 Syrian refugees living in Jordan’s Zaátari camp.

Commissioned in November 2017, the 12.9 MW project provides families with between 12 and 14

© Canadian Solar

hours electricity each day. Residents say the extra power will vastly improve their lives, allowing them to complete their daily chores earlier and prevent children from having to play outside on the dusty streets after dark.

The plant reduces the annual carbon dioxide emissions from the camp by 13,000 metric tons per year, equivalent to 30,000 barrels of oil. The 12.9 megawatt peak solar photovoltaic plant was funded by the Government of Germany through the KfW Development Bank at a cost of 15 million euros (US$ 17.5 million).

© Canadian Solar

Energy and the Department of Tourism of South Africa.

The solar PV farm consists of 1960 Canadian Solar CS6U-340M high-efficiency modules with a total of 666.4 kW power supply.

Soroti Photovoltaic Plant, 10MW, Uganda, West-Africa Canadian Solar has supplied 10 MW of PV Modules to Soroti Photovoltaic Plant in Uganda.

The project is the largest of its kind in East Africa and was officially inaugurated end of 2016.

Africa

Europe

Robben Island Solar Park, 666.6kW, Capetown, South Africa

Delfzijl, Netherlands, 30MW Solar Park

The microgrid solar project has been designed and constructed by SOLAR Future Energy, the EPC partner of the Department of Tourism, using CS6U-340M Canadian Solar modules. The official solar system inauguration took place on Robben Island on October 19th, 2017. Dr. Shawn Qu, Chairman, President and CEO Canadian Solar Inc. was invited as guest of honor by SOLA Future

Canadian Solar has recently supplied the largest solar park in Netherlands. Located in the harbor area, also known as Oosterhorn, Delfzijl project was built by Wirsol GmbH using 16,335 Canadian Solar CS6P-265P modules.

The installation is in operation since January 2017, being expected to generate annually approximately 27,634 MW and to save up to 17,962 tons of CO².

Photo Source: Dubai Forum

DEWA Signs MoU with Amity University Dubai on Renewable Energy, Smart Grids and Emerging Technologies Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Amity University Dubai to promote the exchange of knowledge, best experiences and practices on renewable energy, smart grids and emerging technologies. This is part of DEWA’s efforts to enhance cooperation with academic institutions.

The MoU was signed by HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD & CEO of DEWA, and Dr Ajit 30

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Kumar Nagpal, Chairman and Director General of the Amity University Middle East Initiative. The meeting was attended by Dr Atul Chauhan, Chancellor and Founder of Amity University, Dr Vajahat Hussein, CEO of Amity Middle East, and Dr Ramachandran, Senior Vice President of Amity University.

The meeting was also attended by Waleed Salman, Executive Vice President of Business Development & Excellence, Dr Yousef Al Akraf, Executive Vice President of Business Support

Integration which focuses on grid integration of inverters with related testing and standards, and analysing, modelling, simulation and testing of the effect of smart grid measures on grid performance, and energy storage to support high penetration renewable energy deployment and electric vehicle integration.

Photo Source: Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) Website

and Human Resources, and Khawla Al Mehairi, Executive Vice President of Strategy & Government Communications.

“The MoU is a reflection of the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to shape the future and employ innovative technologies and solutions. This aims to transform Dubai into a global hub for sustainability and green economy through ambitious clean and renewable energy projects, and promoting sustainable development,” said Al Tayer.

Al Tayer added that priority should be given to research and development (R&D) with a focus on solar power, to meet the objectives of Smart Dubai to make Dubai the smartest and happiest city in the world.

This would also support the Dubai Clean Energy Strategy 2050 (DCES) to make Dubai a

global hub for clean energy and green economy by providing 75% Dubai’s energy from clean energy sources by 2050, and achieve the fourth pillar of the DCES to build skills and capabilities through global training programmes in clean energy in cooperation with international organisations and institutes.

The MoU aims to strengthen cooperation between DEWA and Amity University, and exchange knowledge and conduct academic and applied research and studies. This will develop the renewable and alternative energy sector in fields such as energy analysis and planning support; support planning to analyse resources in support of renewable energy generation; and technical, economic and environmental analysis of the alternative future energy scenarios, with consideration of interrelated energy, water and land use issues. The MoU also includes Energy Systems

The MoU also covers solar photovoltaics by expanding ongoing efforts to help improve the reliability of solar cells and modules including related testing and evaluation. It will also study the soiling and dust impact on performance of photovoltaic systems. The fourth clause of the MoU looks at the energy efficiency: system-wide energy efficiency in electricity generation and use.

The MoU also aims to enhance knowledge share in emerging technologies such as data analytics, robotics and drones, 3D printing, material testing, manufacturing techniques, soiling analysis, and energy efficiency measures in buildings through architectural and construction based design solutions.

The MoU also includes that Amity University will provide support and training for DEWA’s students through scientific specialised programmes with the supervision of both parties.

This is aligned to DEWA’s strategy to build the capacity of its Emirati workforce to the highest standards, and empower them with the needed skills and experience to lead the future of energy, water, and sustainable development for Dubai.

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CHINT Cooperates with the Bangladesh Power Commission Supporting the 300MW IPP HFO Power Plant Project CHINT Cooperates with the Bangladesh Power Commission Supporting the 300MW IPP HFO Power Plant Project In February, 2018, CHINT began collaboration on the IPP project of the Bangladesh Power Development Commission in Jessore and Comilla. The HFO power plant’s total capacity of electricity is about 400MW and installed capacity is more than 300MW. When finished, the electricity supplied by the plant will be incorporated directly into the National grid of Bangladesh, which will provide electricity throughout the local areas of that region.

Bangladesh is one of the most important countries in the one belt, one road and maritime Silk Road. Because of this important initiative, CHINT has expanded investment and has begun cooperation on projects of the governments of Pilipinas, Malaysia, Indonesia, Russia, Turkey. The Bangladesh economy has poised for great things most recently. When this project goes into operation, it will greatly relieve

the local demand and promote local economic development and social development within the country.

CHINT can offer the one-stop solutions for our customers with a complete product line portfolio that provides solid power protection and complete global certification standards. Although this construction project has aggressive timetables, CHINT can be expected to complete its part on budget, on time, and also delivering top product quality. The Bangladesh Power Development Commission’s tough evaluation of CHINT’s capabilities resulted finally in beating out all other competitors through a determined and sustained effort by the CHINT team.

The installation and construction of the substation is currently under way and is

expected to be completed in April. CHINT is providing 132 kV primary equipment, complete integration covering three product lines for high voltage transmission and distribution: power transformers, high-voltage switch (isolation switch, circuit breaker), high-voltage components (current Transformer, voltage transformer, lightning arrester), 35kV and below power cable.

This project is perfectly aligned with CHINT’s market positioning. The end result will be a thriving, growing economy in Bangladesh as a result of this project.

CHINT’s Product Line will Launch in Algeria From Feb 12-15th, CHINT attended the 2018 SEER fair in Algeria. During the exhibition, multiple products and systems were presented to many professional participants on site, such as House building, solar power supply system, Industrial control, Industrial inverter and softstarter solution, and the NEXT series. Even though it was the first appearance at this event,

CHINT’s booth attracted much attention from more than 200 participants. Because the event was held during the China Spring Festival, CHINT staffers all wore Chinese traditional costume to celebrate!

The 2018 SEER fair is the first event dedicated exclusively to electricity and renewable energies in Algeria. This fair was held from February 12th through the 15th, 2018 in Alger, and exhibitors included most of the local equipment manufacturers, distributors, design institute, panel builders etc.

The stable growth of international trade in CHINTAlgeria market, is a result of CHINT’s strategy of local events and Marketing focus within the region to boost sales. Participation at the SEER fair demonstrates CHINT’s determination in following through on this marketing strategy.

Later this year in 2018, the first overseas CHINT assembly line will begin production in Algeria, further accelerating CHINT’s regional development in the Algeria market.

Shell Oman Opens the First Solar-powered Shell Service Station in the Sultanate Shell Oman opened the first solar-powered service station in the Sultanate of Oman in Mukhaizna, Al Wusta Governorate, as an initial phase of “Solar Into Stations” Project which was launched in quarter three of 2017, with more sites planned in Muscat to be announced in 2018. The installation of solar system at Shell Mukhaizna Service Station is expected to contribute to the reduction of the site’s carbon footprint by approximately 900 tons in an average of 25 years.

Through a Tender, Shell Oman awarded the project to Continental Shelf of Solar Tech, an Omani enterprise, to provide the solar system technology at the Mukhaizna Service Station after successfully completing a Shell Intilaaqah training course on the fundamentals of Solar Photovoltaic Technology.

Speaking on the occasion, Khalid Hashil Al Awaisi, Retail Country Manager at Shell Oman stated: “Through our strategically positioned Shell Service Stations we continue to look for opportunities to create value in the communities we are part of. This solar project demonstrates 34

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that by encouraging renewable energy solutions.

Solar Into Stations project will help support the growth and development of SMEs in Oman in its energy transition journey, and our partnership with Continental Shelf of Solar Tech is a great example of that.”

The “Solar Into Stations” project comes in line with the Company’s commitment to Corporate Social Responsibility, and the efforts dedicated to playing a proactive role in the progress of energy transition while creating in-country value through business opportunities for Omani enterprises Commenting on the announcement, Majid Salim Al Alawi, General Manager of Continental Shelf of Solar Tech said: “Shell Oman’s commitment to energy transition inspired us as a start-up and encourages us in growing our business and creating new jobs”.

Continental Shelf of Solar Tech has recently been awarded by RIYADA, the Public Authority for Development of SME’s, as one of the outstanding enterprises in Oman.

The French Ambassador to the UAE, HE Ludovic Pouille and Jeremy Loisel, CEO of SWITCH MADE

Strengthening UAE-French Business Ties, SWITCH MADE Expands Operations with Global Hub Office in Dubai

In a significant move that underlines the strong UAE-French business ties, SWITCH MADE, a French company and world leader in providing efficient, innovative and stylish lighting solutions, is further expanding its operations in the UAE with the opening of a brand-new global hub office in Dubai.

This coincides with the 10th anniversary of SWITCH MADE’s operations in the UAE, with the new global office being beefed up with a dedicated team of experts from SWITCH MADE’s France office taking up positions in Dubai.

The unveiling of the global base of SWITCH MADE in the UAE complements the call by French President Emmanuel Macron to enhance the role of French companies in international entrepreneurship.

The French Ambassador to the UAE, HE Ludovic Pouille, marked the new expansion and opening of the global office and congratulated the company for its strategic focus on expanding its presence in the country. He was accompanied by H.E. Emmanuel Mayer, Vice Consul General of the France in Dubai and other dignitaries and business leaders.

“This is a commendable example of French companies strengthening their international footprint and sharing invaluable French expertise for supporting the development of the UAE,” HE Ludovic Pouille said. “Over the past years, French-UAE ties have grown manifold, with French business expertise, especially in areas such as sustainable development and renewable energy, complementing the development vision of the UAE. SWITCH MADE has an accomplished track-record in delivering energy-efficient lighting solutions and the new office will enable it to further contribute to the UAE’s Vision 2021.”

Jeremy Loisel, CEO of SWITCH MADE, said: “With our expanded presence, we are building on 10 strong years of operations in the UAE, marking a new milestone in our growth journey.

We are bringing top-notch French experts to support our business growth in the UAE, complementing the development goals of

the nation. French companies already play a significant role here by providing cutting edge technology and expertise, and through our enhanced local presence, we can be more agile and closer to our customers in meeting their requirements.”

“Our French headquarter is currently being restructured, and reflecting the consequent change of business model, focusing on manufacturing LED luminaires for projects. We are also in the final stages of partnering with a reputable industrial group, which will take our growth to the next level. 2018 is a decisive year for our French market.” He added.

SWITCH MADE has already been associated with several landmark projects in the UAE including the provision of energy-efficient sustainable lighting solutions for the façade of The Dubai Mall, supplying more than 52,000 LED luminaires. SWITCH MADE also delivered over 8,800 LED light fittings and over 2 Km of linear soluitons for the Swiss International Scientific School in Dubai, which is the Middle East region’s first low-energy building that complies with the MINERGIE Ecolabel, a Swiss sustainable building standard.

Several flagship projects in the UAE have been developed through close co-operation with France, such as Louvre Abu Dhabi and the Paris-Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi, the only French-language university in the Gulf. Total trade between the two countries was estimated at US$5.6 billion in 2016. The UAE is France’s second-largest trading partner in the Gulf, and is also the second largest Gulf investor in France.

There are over 600 French subsidiaries in the UAE. “The UAE has outlined a clear vision to be among the best nations in the world, and has set tangible targets in reducing energy consumption and promoting sustainable solutions. As a French company with proven expertise in supporting the needs of nations and companies with sustainable lighting solutions, we are committed to be a partner in the progress of the UAE by bringing French expertise to the nation’s development projects,” concluded Jeremy Loisel.

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Apple Is Now Completely Running On Renewable Energy Apple announced that all of their offices, data centers, retail outlets, and other facilities are now running on clean energy.

Now that the world is being more open to renewable energy, big corporations are trying to get people’s trust by being 100% renewable. One of the biggest names to jump into the renewable wagon is tech giant, Apple. Apple has recently announced that they are now powered by 100% renewable energy. This month, nine stores have announced that they’ve gone fully green, and that was the last step towards Apple’s journey towards clean energy. Apple now boasts that all its retail locations, data centers, offices, and other facilities are now running on clean energy.

This encompasses all locations that are scattered along 43 different countries worldwide.

“We’re committed to leaving the world better than we found it. After years of hard work we’re proud to have reached this significant milestone,” said Tim Cook, Apple’s CEO. Apple has made this commitment to be more environmentally friendly, ensuring that they help in creating a healthier environment. “We’re going to keep pushing the boundaries of what is possible with the materials in our products, the way we recycle them, our facilities and our work with suppliers to establish

new creative and forward-looking sources of renewable energy because we know the future depends on it,” Cook added.

Apple currently has 25 different projects dedicated to providing renewable energy around the globe. These projects are responsible for generating 626 megawatts of energy, with 286 coming from solar sources last 2017. It also has 17 more projects lined up for completion in the near future. Upon reaching completion, the company estimates roughly 1.4 gigawatts in power generation divided across 11 countries.

Many have watched Apple’s progress in renewable energy. One of their biggest milestones was in 2014, when all their data centers were announced to be powered purely by renewable energy. Since 2011, the company’s carbon emissions have decreased by 54 percent, which roughly equates to 2.1 million metric tons of CO2 blocked from entering the atmosphere. This move from Apple aims to motivate other companies to do the same. On their example, 23 of Apple’s suppliers have now committed to using only 100% renewable energy.

Organic Solar Cells Achieve an Efficiency Rate Never Done by Its Kind Before For this, its commercial value has increased.

Solar panels in the market today are composed mostly of silicon, which is inorganic, often formed into thick, rigid sheets that require fixed installation points. But it appears that this quality of solar panels can be improved with the help of organic solar cells.

Carbon-based organic solar cells can be thin enough to bend and curve around structures or even within clothing. Plus, they can be manufactured to be of any color including transparent, allowing flexibility in aesthetic design.

Amid these advantages, there is one problem with organic solar cells: efficiency. For this, they cannot compete with conventional energy sources.

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But that is all in the past now.

Researchers at University of Michigan made it possible to make organic solar cells that can achieve 15% efficiency. This level of efficiency is enough to make organic solar cells a viable option in photovoltaics systems as it is in the range of many solar panels today. “For the last couple of years, efficiency for organic photovoltaics was stuck around 11 to 12 percent,� said Xiaozhou Che, a doctoral candidate in the Applied Physics Program and a member of the research team.

The researchers had to develop a way to solve the problem on efficiency. That required inventing

a process of stacking the organic solar cells, which allows interconnection of layers to prevent damage to the first cell but allows light and electrical charges to pass through.

This new system can absorb light from the visible spectrum starting at 350 nanometers in wavelength as well as near-infrared light up to 950 nanometers in wavelength.

“When we stack them together, we increase light absorption and efficiency improves to 15 percent with an antireflection coating. That’s considered a difficult process because there’s a chance the liquid used in processing the top cell will dissolve the layers already deposited underneath,” Che said.

Leader of the research, Stephen Forrest, the Peter A. Franken Distinguished University Professor of Engineering and Paul G. Goebel Professor of Engineering, said that organic

photovoltaics can potentially cut way down on the total solar energy system cost, making solar “a truly ubiquitous clean energy source.”

With a 20-year lifetime and at 15% efficiency, the researchers calculate that the organic cells they developed have the capacity to produce electricity at a much lower cost. When the average cost of electricity in the U.S. was 10.5 cents per kilowatt-hour in 2017, it could be reduced to less than 7 cents per kilowatt-hour.

Despite this recent development, the team still wants to improve the efficiency further.

“We can improve the light absorption to increase electric current, and minimize the energy loss to increase voltage,” Che said. “Based on calculations, an 18-percent efficiency is expected in the near future for this type of multijunction device.”

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Dubai Investment Development Agency (Dubai FDI), an agency of the Department of Economic Development (DED), and Dubai Science Park (DSP), the holistic science-focused business community, joined hands to promote current and emerging investment opportunities in Dubai at the GLOBE Forum and Innovation Expo 2018 held in Vancouver, Canada, 14-16 March 2018.

The GLOBE Forum 2018, North America’s largest and longest-running international Leadership Summit on Sustainable Business, featured a dedicated session titled ‘DUBAI ADVANTAGE: From Future to Reality,’ where Fahad Al Gergawi, CEO, Dubai FDI, and Marwan Abdulaziz Janahi, Executive Director, Dubai Science Park, highlighted how Dubai’s commitment to a smart and sustainable future has transformed the city into a global innovation hub, supported by continued government investment in physical, digital and soft infrastructure, the EXPO 2020 Dubai and accelerated adoption of disruptive technologies, making Dubai the perfect location for foreign companies with equally ambitious expansion or innovative start-up plans.

Commenting on the progress of the Cleantech sector in Dubai, Al Gergawi said: “Dubai’s successful transition to a green economy has transformed business and created new investment opportunities for the global cleantech sector, accelerating adoption of such technologies across key industries from renewable energy and transportation to energy efficiency and waste management.”

importance to Dubai. It is encouraging to note that the emirate has lately achieved a record low price for solar energy generation, making the technology more viable than ever before as an alternative to traditional sources of energy.

Favourable policies, a surge in investments and a strong emphasis on building synergies through public-private partnerships facilitate the transition to a green economy. The cleantech industry plays a crucial role in driving the sustainable development of Dubai and in improving the lives of its residents through using resources efficiently and reducing carbon emissions.”

Bryan Buggey, Director, Strategic Initiatives and Sector Development, Vancouver Economic Commission, moderated the ‘DUBAI ADVANTAGE: From Future to Reality’ session.

He praised the vision of the UAE leadership and its remarkable initiatives to enable youth participation and adoption of new and disruptive technologies. “The UAE is Canada’s largest export market in the Middle East and North Africa and where Canadian companies have great opportunities to contribute and create a sustainable future globally. We are proud that investors from both countries are a global example of industry leadership and impact,” he added.

Al Gergawi added: “The global cleantech sector is currently worth AED 3.29 trillion and is expected to grow at a rate of 3% annually according to the latest GLOBE Capital report. With over AED 50 billion committed to solar energy alone, new infrastructure projects pipeline and regulatory commitment, green buildings and energy and water efficiency, Dubai is set to be a global leader in cleantech adoption and acceleration”.

GLOBE Forum and Innovation EXPO brought together over 10,000 participants from over 50 countries in 2018. The Innovation EXPO showcased cleantech clusters – Sustainable Mobility and Advanced Materials & Manufacturing and some of the top proprietary technologies in the world. Dubai FDI has established a ‘Spotlight on Dubai’ session as a regular feature of the GLOBE Forum programme over the years to demonstrate Dubai’s green economy strategies and update the Canadian and International business communities about Dubai’s advantage as a smart and sustainable city of the future, a gateway to regional growth markets and a global business hub.

Marwan Abdulaziz Janahi, Executive Director of Dubai Science Park, and Chairing Member of the Pharmaceuticals and Medical Equipment taskforce of the Dubai Industrial Strategy 2030, said, “The cleantech sector is of strategic

Dubai FDI and Dubai Science Park work jointly to facilitate and support cleantech companies set up and grow while providing a growth and expansion platform for knowledge-based, innovation-driven and sustainable industrial activities in Dubai.

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Spain’s Torresol Energy Celebrates Ten Years of Solar Thermal Power Generation In the ten years since it was established through a collaboration between Masdar, Abu Dhabi’s renewable energy company, and SENER, the Spanish engineering and technology specialist, Torresol Energy has steadily pursued its mission

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to improve the competitiveness of large-scale concentrated solar power (CSP) plants.

Since 2008, the 60/40 joint venture between SENER and Masdar has demonstrated that the

generation 24 hours a day.

The Valle 1 and Valle 2 plants in San José del Valle use parabolic trough collectors to drive an electricity turbine with the heat of the sun, while also producing constant power thanks to a molten salt storage system.

Torresol Energy started with a small team whose first objective was to secure the permissions required to develop its three plants Altogether, the three plants generate approximately 120 megawatts (MW), enough power to supply around 100,000 homes annually while displacing 122,000 tonnes of carbon emissions. Nearly 650,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide have been displaced since the plants began operations in 2011.

technology behind its three plants in southern Spain (Gemasolar, Valle 1 and Valle 2) can deliver affordable, reliable, carbon-free energy straight to the electricity grid 24 hours a day.

Gemasolar, located in Fuentes de Andalucia, is the world’s first and only utility-scale solar power plant to combine a central tower receiver system and molten salt storage technology, enabling power

“Torresol Energy continues to reinforce Masdar’s position as a global renewable energy leader,” said Yousif Al Ali, Director for Business Growth with Masdar’s clean energy division. “The experience gained has contributed to the rapid commercialization of solar thermal power around the globe. The success of the three plants over the last ten years is further evidence of the importance of incubating advanced technology out in the field.”

Gemasolar was the world’s first commercial-scale solar thermal power plant of its type, while Valle 1 & Valle 2 implemented technology innovations such as the SENERtrough® System.

All three can produce electricity around the clock, the first ever solar power plants to do so.

At Gemasolar, heliostats reflect sunlight onto a central receiver which stores heat as molten salt. This in turn generates steam which drives an electricity turbine. Valle 1 and 2 follow a similar principle, concentrating the power of the sun onto oil-filled pipes, the power source for a steamdriven electricity turbine, with molten salt providing up to eight hours of energy storage.

Gemasolar is officially the world’s longest running CSP tower plant, with seven years’ uninterrupted operations to its name.

All three plants have paved the way for Shams 1, the UAE’s first large-scale solar power plant and the largest CSP plant in the world at the time of its inauguration five years ago.

“Over the years, we have used the Torresol Energy plants as a test-bed for SENER’s innovations in thermoelectric solar power, including trough collector loops, heliostats or other systems, which has allowed us to build up a critical knowledge-base to spearhead state-of-the-art technology and increase the competitiveness of CSP,” said Enrique de Sendagorta, President of Torresol Energy.

The rise in CSP development across the globe is a testament to the successful groundwork laid by Torresol Energy.

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4 Things That Engineering Bosses Want to Tell You But Won’t Say Your engineering manager will not spoon-feed you all the stuff you need to know. There will be times that you will need to figure them out on your own.

When you are an engineer who is new to the field, you are most likely to work for a boss in a company. He or she will give you commands, guide you on how to do your work, and share some advice that could help you in your 8-to-5 job.

But your engineering manager will not spoonfeed you all the stuff you need to know. There will be times that you will need to figure them out on your own, and your boss will refuse to say it on your face.

Here are 4 things that could help you on your engineering job but your boss will never tell you:

Ask questions It’s a common newbie mistake to be afraid to ask questions. Don’t be. Bosses actually appreciate engineers who do not hold back when it comes to reaching out to others. Inquiry doesn’t make you vulnerable, it only says that you are paying attention, avoiding confusion, and thinking critically.

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This include every single one of your coworkers not only engineers and your boss but also the janitor and the security guard. Having quality work relationships tend to enhance work productivity, efficiency, engagement, and communications. This is critical especially when engineers work with different departments in various levels of the company.

Use those vacation days Only good engineering managers actually promote this one, so be careful about this advice. Nonetheless, engineering managers also want you to maintain a work-life balance. They want you to take vacation leaves to take a break.

They understand that doing so avoids work burnout.

Plan beyond your next paycheck Your boss is also concerned about how you handle your money. This is one of the great sources of stress of which affects the quality of work of engineers. Engineering managers want its employees to have a financial security, so better develop smart habits early on and maximize your options.

Creative Ways Engineers Can Increase How Much They Earn How can you increase your value at work to be able to earn more?

Everyone wants to earn more. However, most of the time working hard has little effect on how much you earn. It may seem harsh, but most of the time it’s true. No matter how much overtime hours you render at work, will have little or no effect on your current salary. In our society, what you earn is usually based on the value of what it is you do.

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Dollar amounts are placed on everyday tasks, and payment is offered based on who can give the desired outcome. Payment is also related to supply and demand. For example, lots of people are capable of scrubbing toilets, but not everyone can manage a construction project.

you to earn more for yourself. Do some research and look for different parties that are willing to pay for that role.

Choose long term jackpots Learn to be patient. No one becomes an instant expert at something overnight. Even those who are innately talented still have a lot to learn through experience. Once you’ve chosen a role don’t just focus on short term raises, focus on long term jackpots instead. As you are still in the lower end of the learning curve, continue to prove yourself and improve your abilities. Forget asking for extra pay for the extra 2 hours you’ve spent at a certain task. When you’re still starting, it’s better to focus on quality, as well as connections.

Instead of asking for that extra 2 hours pay, ask your client to introduce you to someone that you could add to your connections. This will help you ladder up your success to your next projects.

Master your craft while making connections.

Don’t tell people why they should pay you more. Show them.

So, as engineers who want to improve in their field and earn more, what can you do? How can you increase your value to the point where you are earning more than what is considered average for your responsibilities?

Research and Absorb Do some research and learn what is most valuable about your role. You can try rereading your job description that was given to you when you first started your job, and from the list of responsibilities find out which one is of most value. Or if you currently don’t have a job, find a strong characteristic that you have that can help

Action speaks louder than words. We all know this. If you’re an engineer who is currently employed, then show everyone (especially your bosses) that you deserve to be paid more or be given a promotion. If you have a business on the side, show your clients that what they are paying for is so worth it that they will want to come back again.

Stop telling. Start showing.

Ask Not everything will be served on a silver platter for you. While there are bosses who suddenly call you up and give you that raise you deserve, most aren’t like that. If you feel that you deserve to be paid more, in whatever you are working in, it’s your responsibility to ask. Talk to your boss.

You may need to be prepared for a “no”, but don’t be disheartened. Explain to them what value you provide that makes you believe you deserve those earnings.

How Engineers Can Be The Best At What They Do Here is a guide to help bring out the best version of yourselves.

There are some people with simple dreams.

Mostly they just want to live a normal life and earn enough to support themselves. Others dream big, and these people have the most exciting journeys.

Then again, dreaming bigger also means having to face bigger obstacles, and in order to overcome these, you have to become a master at what you do, and be the best version of yourself.

Doing just that can be difficult. We already have little free time as working engineers, giving us little room to develop our skills. Most people fall into the trap of pushing it aside, or just giving up. There’s just too little time and too much competition.

But a simple change in lifestyle can give anyone the strength to push through, and become a better version of themselves in the process. This

is phase 1: and at this point, you’re good enough that you’re in a high position, a boss or manager at a firm or the founder of your own startup.

Here, you’re earning enough off of your passion for engineering to support yourself plus a little more, and are closer to your dream than most.

But that isn’t enough. Being the best means being in that top 1% at your own game. And getting there requires a total change of your very being. Your habits, your thoughts, and your way of thinking.

How do you do that, well here’s where to start:

Start As An Amateur This is where a lot of people get stuck. Some people are just way too much of a perfectionist.

They want their first work to immediately become a masterpiece. But that shouldn’t be the case.

Instead of worrying about perfection, just do it to finish it– and as you continue on you’ll learn and

improve your way to mastery. There are a lot of online sensations that start of simple like posting random YouTube videos continuously for a few months. Usually they would go unnoticed until eventually, one or more of their content becomes viral.

marathon. Most burn out and quit. It’ll test your commitment and will. Keep doing what you’re doing, no matter how long or exhausted you are.

Remind yourself that you’re doing this because you love it, not because you want to be rich or popular.

The goal at first is “finish, not perfect”. If you’re an engineer who loves to design, or maybe invent new gadgets and gizmos, go ahead and plan something out and finish it. Don’t stress too much on additional details. Finish a project first and keep creating more consistently. You’ll soon get to that breakthrough moment.

Allow Time For Recovery

Get Coaching/Education Next is that you have to take your dreams seriously. That means getting a mentor, because there’s always more to learn to improve your craft. Get a teacher. Go to graduate school. Take an online course. Get a few business courses.

Whatever it takes, you need to learn from the best to become the best.

Stop Living The Broken Rules Everyone Else Is Living Most people play by the rules- it’s the normal thing to do. But you know what? Sometimes to get something you’ve never had, you have to do something you’ve never done. So go ahead, think outside of the box. Take calculated risks.

When everyone else is zigging, you zag. Do the opposite of what everyone else is doing, it’ll help you stand out.

“The day before something is a breakthrough, it’s a crazy idea,” says Peter Diamandis. A crazy idea to some means it’s the right path for you.

C’mon, Bill Gates didn’t say “I’ll just optimize the performance of this blue-screened textonly machinery.” He wanted to create a digital revolution, and he did.

Be Consistent Until You Have A Break Through Waiting for that breakthrough moment can be tough, since we never know how long it’ll take. While you’re waiting for it to happen, make sure to be consistent. Remember, life is a

Learn to be 100% on when you’re working, and 100% off when you’re not. While it’s great to work hard, doing too much will burn you out and bring you towards a downward spiral of fatigue and procrastination. So give yourself a break from time to time. Hang out with friends. Take a vacation. Party. Do whatever makes you feel great and you’ll have much more energy to jump back into work.

Get in the zone You need to warm up before the marathon. The same goes for working. Before you start, you need to ease yourself into the zone before you obtain that optimal performance. Give yourself 20-60 minutes to do any routine that’ll help alter your emotional state. Get rid off all that fear and anxiety and negativity before you work. Gear your mind. Begin to focus. This can be yoga, exercise, doing a simple part of your work and progressively working towards harder stuff.

Embrace the anxiety Let’s face it, fearlessness doesn’t exist. We all have fear, it’s part of our biology. So instead of learning how not to be afraid, learn to deal with it. The moment before euphoria is a moment of pain. When most people hit this block, they quit.

Remind yourself that getting through this will put you ahead of them. Charge on. Push yourself beyond what you think your limits are.

Do it because you love it Finally, remind yourself this is all because of what you love. If you live for the fame and the fortune, you’re doing it wrong, and you’re more likely to quit when a mountain is in your way.

Your passion for engineering is what drives you towards success. It’s this passion that makes you want to become the best.

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An Engineer’s Guide to Becoming a Quick Learner Picking up on things quicker than other people is not really a ‘gift’. Simple practices allows young engineers to be quick learners themselves.

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a knack for learning things faster. Here are some ways on how you can improve your speed of learning.

You have to learn how to fail If you want to develop a skill or to learn something new, you have to be prepared for everything. Failure is a step that’s bound to be inevitable, especially to people who are just starting out. You don’t get good at one things by just being successful all the time.

Newbies become experts through constant practice, and constant practice means undergoing multiple failures.

Quick learners are people who are the first to fall and the first ones to try again. They don’t wallow on failure, they accept it.

Practice makes perfect

People often think that being a quick learner is not something everyone can do. Do you often wonder how some people learn quicker than others? What practices do they do to absorb information quickly? If you’ve asked these questions before, you’re in for a surprise. With these strategies and processes, almost everyone can acquire

You’ve thought of it before and you might still think it today — people who “pick up” faster are generally “smarter”.

Well, that’s not completely true. In some cases, people who perform better may have practiced more. In order to learn efficiently, you have to put time and effort in. The more practice you put, the better results you’ll get.

Try out some memory tricks You don’t need a high IQ to be able to memorize certain things. There are numerous mnemonic devices that you can use to remember things

easier. This removes the creepiness of having to sit in a corner murmuring something to yourself repeatedly. For example, if you’re trying to remember which months have a 31st, line your knuckles together and count your knuckles and the spaces in between from left to right.

All the months that line on a knuckle have a 31st while those that land in between only have 30 or less days.

Make it a habit Rome didn’t get built in a day, and learning also doesn’t get done in a day. If you do things constantly you’ll find it easier to absorb anything related to it faster. Writing on a daily basis helps keep your brain active, allowing it to retain information faster. This also applies to things like learning an instrument or a sport. If you continuously do it and set your mind to it, you’ll learn different principles such as patience, discipline, and other things that would help you grow.

Find yourself a good mentor The quickest way to learning things quickly is to have someone each you. Learning from someone who knows what they’re talking about is the best way to speed up your growth.

They’ll be able to tell you about their experiences, how they overcame hurdles, and why they had to do specific things to tackle those hurdles. They’ve seen it, all you’ll have to do is listen, and listen well.

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